Chapter 6 The Hundred-Day Banquet: Shen Yun is practically insane.
Lin Shutang gave Shen Yun a slightly warning glance, but Shen Yun remained unmoved.
His skin was indeed thicker than she had imagined.
"I'll go back after we've finished welcoming His Majesty," Lin Shutang said with a helpless compromise.
She knew what he meant.
They just want to keep her locked up.
Just like the past five years.
She is, after all, the mother of the protagonist of this 100-day celebration, and the Emperor will be attending in person later. It would be quite awkward if she weren't there.
If I go too far, what if she's charged with disrespecting the emperor?
Shen Yun is truly a lawless person, even daring to disrespect the Emperor.
Since being reminded by the old lady last time, Lin Shutang has finally become more cautious in his actions.
Shen Yun was much taller than her, and Lin Shutang was afraid that her voice would be too loud and others would hear her, so she moved a little closer to Shen Yun and stood on tiptoe.
Shen Yun also tilted her head in response.
To outsiders, this would appear as whispering in someone's ear.
They looked so inseparable that anyone who didn't know better might think it was their wedding banquet.
Shen Jingshi glanced at the two of them without leaving a trace, his brows furrowed, and he let out a cold snort, slightly twitching his beard.
They're still out there, what kind of behavior is that!
The old lady glanced at Shen Jingshi, then turned her face back to its kind and gentle demeanor, chatting and laughing with the guests.
Shen Yun held Lin Shutang's hand tightly and didn't let go.
The more she struggled, the tighter he held on.
Lin Shutang simply stopped moving.
Finally, at the end of the bustling street, a light yet penetrating sound of a golden bell rang out.
The crowd fell silent and looked up.
In view came the imperial carriage with a bright yellow brocade roof and a sandalwood frame.
Each of the four corners of the eaves is adorned with a gilded bronze bell, and the strings of pearls hanging down are tributes from Southeast Asia.
As the vehicle travels, the jewels jingle and shimmer.
It fully displays the majesty of the imperial family.
Everyone held their breath, bowed their heads, and focused their attention.
When the imperial carriage came to a stop, and he caught a glimpse of that bright yellow figure out of the corner of his eye, he knelt down and said in a continuous stream, "Your Majesty, may you be well."
The emperor stood on the carriage, his voice booming and tinged with a smile. He waved to dismiss the formalities from the crowd and stepped down from the carriage on a low stool.
"No need for such formalities, Madam." The Emperor stepped onto the stairs and gently patted the old lady to help her stand up.
The people from the Duke's mansion hurriedly prepared to welcome the emperor inside.
Lin Shutang stood aside and noticed that there was another person accompanying the emperor, who had come to the Duke's mansion with the emperor.
She heard them call him the Third Prince.
The grand gate of the mansion was already packed with people.
Lin Shutang wasn't used to being squeezed in a group of people, so she turned slightly to the side.
Then, he noticed that the Third Prince was followed by another person.
Judging from his attire, he must be one of his staff members.
Lin Shutang raised his eyes indifferently.
In an instant, all breaths were stuck in his throat.
It's Song Ying!
Lin Shutang stared at him intently, her eyes unblinking.
Compared to her surprise, Song Ying remained calm, a polite smile playing on her lips as she looked at Lin Shutang.
It was as if he had been watching Lin Shutang for a long time before she looked over.
I was well prepared for today's meeting.
That night, Lin Shutang was separated from him by a mask.
Although she recognized him by the gruesome scar, neither of them ever confronted the other about their relationship.
But today, Song Ying actually appeared before him in a very open and blatant manner, standing at the gate of the Duke's mansion.
To be clear and open about one's appearance in front of others.
Years have passed since they last met, and Song Ying has become somewhat more composed than before.
However, his eyes and brows also showed signs of frailty and illness.
The snow has now melted, but he is still wrapped in a cloak.
Lin Shutang's gaze involuntarily fell on his neck, which was covered by a fur collar.
Is it because of the injury?
A sudden, heavy force pressed down on the back of my hand; it wasn't heavy, but it wasn't light either.
Lin Shutang, in particular, has been pampered in the mansion for years, and the water he usually uses to wash his hands is the morning dew from the flower petals after the rain.
Wealthy families usually use this kind of water to brew tea.
Therefore, Lin Shutang is no longer as tough as she used to be when she traveled with her father as a merchant; her skin is now incredibly delicate.
When Shen Yun pressed down on him like that, he couldn't help but gasp in pain.
Only then did I come to my senses and feel the oppressive gaze above me.
She hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to look at Song Ying or Shen Yun's face.
The tragic scene from back then was still vivid in Lin Shutang's mind, and he was terrified of seeing the two of them again.
Shen Yun will not let him off the hook.
After exchanging pleasantries with others, the emperor inquired about Lin Shutang and Shen Yun.
The crowd immediately made way, revealing the entire scene to everyone.
Lin Shutang was startled by the question coming from the emperor.
He tried to pull his hand out of Shen Yun's palm, but it wouldn't budge.
Lin Shutang was afraid that he would really go crazy here, so she dared not struggle anymore.
Facing the gazes of the crowd, Lin Shutang moved slightly closer to Shen Yun, and using the intertwined hems of their clothes, she put their clasped hands behind her back.
The emperor teased Shen Yan, who was being held in the wet nurse's arms, and said with a smile, "This child's features do resemble Shen Qing's back then. He will surely be a clever child in the future."
"Time really flies. It seems like only yesterday that Shen Qing asked me for a marriage decree," the emperor sighed, looking at the two of them. "Now that I see you two living in harmony and have a son around your knees, I am truly gratified."
"This is a longevity lock made of mutton-fat jade by the Imperial Workshop, specially commissioned by me, to wish my grandson a safe and prosperous life. You and your husband have raised him to be a capable man, and he will surely be as virtuous as his father, Shen Qing, and serve the country in the future!"
The emperor waved his hand and laughed loudly.
The eunuch behind him bowed and stepped forward, presenting a pear wood brocade box.
Everyone looked over with envy.
Shen Yun did not make a move.
Lin Shutang's heart pounded instantly. She tried to pull her hand away slightly, but Shen Yun still held on tightly.
It was clear that the gazes of the crowd were about to turn strange.
Lin Shutang gritted his teeth and cursed him inwardly as a madman.
He respectfully and proactively accepted the huanghuali wood brocade box from the junior supervisor.
Shen Yun indeed let her go.
Lin Shutang curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness. I will work with the Crown Prince to take good care of the grandson and live up to Your Majesty's expectations."
His words were impeccable, neither humble nor arrogant.
Shen Yun stood beside her and bowed in greeting.
To onlookers, it looked like a harmonious union, with the wife singing and the husband following.
The emperor smiled, looking quite satisfied.
He finally looked away from the couple and allowed everyone to welcome him into the mansion to take his seat.
The eldest son of the Duke's family, who had been keeping his eyes downcast, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Lin Shutang's tense back also relaxed.
Shen Yun is absolutely insane!
He retaliated against her in this way because she almost lost her composure when she saw Song Ying.
This is in front of the Emperor, how dare he!
Lin Shutang looked up at him, glared at him fiercely, and went straight into the mansion.
Shen Yun's expression was no longer as cold and stern as before.
Even though Lin Shutang glared at him twice, he didn't take it to heart.
On the contrary, because of the phrase "of one heart and one mind," he was in a good mood and gave Song Ying a few glances.
Meeting Song Ying's complex gaze, Shen Yun curled her lips into a contemptuous smile.
They looked every bit the victor.
It carried an arrogant provocation and warning.
Inside the Duke's mansion, separate seating was set up for men and women, separated by a stream or lake.
To pass through, one must traverse a long, winding arcade.
However, as you move around the artificial hills and the scenery changes, you can also see the view on the other side.
Therefore, an embroidered screen was also placed as a partition.
Lin Shutang helped the old lady to her seat, then absentmindedly walked to the head seat on the right and tried to see the scene opposite her through the pitiful gap.
Why is Song Ying here?
Why would he follow the Third Prince?
The maids filed in, carrying lacquered platters and serving delicacies, but Lin Shutang had no appetite at all.
The old lady, embodying the grace of the lady of the Duke's mansion, first raised her glass to thank everyone for taking the time and graciously attending her grandson's 100-day celebration.
As everyone toasted and exchanged pleasantries, the atmosphere at the banquet became quite lively.
Lin Shutang has always had a high alcohol tolerance; back in the day, when he roamed the martial arts world, he must have drunk down countless heroes.
Lin Shu-tang has always been very proud of this.
They often get others completely drunk, then use their silver tongue and persuasive skills to close deals.
But Shen Yun didn't like her drinking.
When they first met, he could pretend to be nice and was willing to drink for her.
After he married her, he forbade her to drink any alcohol.
They went so far as to forbid her from even touching fruit wine.
Lin Shutang felt somewhat aggrieved.
Anyway, given how far away he is, does he think he can grow eyes in the back of his head?
Lin Shutang raised his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.
It was so spicy that her throat hurt, and she almost coughed it up.
“I just noticed that there was another person beside His Highness the Third Prince, someone I have never seen before.”
"You don't know him?" The lowered voice was filled with shock. "This lord has been making quite a splash in Yujing lately."
"He was a staff member in the Third Prince's residence. A few days ago, I heard that His Majesty had a beloved item that had a broken corner, and it was this man who repaired it. It is said that the crack was repaired so flawlessly that it was as good as a perfect piece. His Majesty was very pleased and specially appointed him as the Director of the Construction Department of the Ministry of Works."
"That's amazing."
"I've also heard that this official is very skilled. The things he makes are lifelike and vivid. The sixteenth prince in the palace keeps asking this official to make him some toys."
Amidst the dense chatter of voices, Lin Shutang was drawn to several soft female voices.
She had her eyes half-covered, and her mind was a little sluggish.
Are they talking about Senior Brother Song Ying?
He entered the Third Prince's residence and became a construction worker in the Ministry of Works?
But wasn't his ambition not to serve in the imperial court?
Song Ying was already famous throughout the capital, as was Shen Yun…
Suddenly, Lin Shutang heard Shen Yun's inexplicable words from that day echoing in his ears.
She scoffed softly. Sure enough, how could he possibly…
Lin Shutang finished the rest of the fruit wine in his hand in one gulp.
Having not drunk alcohol for many years, and having eaten little, Lin Shutang felt his cheeks burning and his whole body becoming dizzy after drinking that one cup.
She stood up and quietly left her seat without attracting anyone's attention.
As Lin Shutang strolled along the covered walkway, he intended to go to the bridgehead to enjoy the breeze, but unexpectedly, he spotted Song Ying in front of the moon gate.
A note from the author:
----------------------
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com